South Korea, Taiwan, and China

Outside Europe, the countries of South Korea, Taiwan, and China are firmly committed to construction of high-speed passenger lines. In South Korea a major line, some 400 km (240 miles) long, is planned to run between the capital, Seoul, and the southern port of Pusan. The first phase, from Seoul to Taegu, began service in 2004, and the second phase, from Taegu to Pusan, is to be completed by 2015. The Korean system employs trains based on French TGV designs. In Taiwan the main high-speed line, running approximately 350 km (210 miles) between the capital, ... (100 of 20,774 words)